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“No, I—”
I clenched my jaw, leveling her a look at her that said, don't fuck with me. Her gaze flickered back to the bakery. I glanced over my shoulder, but I still didn’t see anything to warrant her concern.
“Spit it out,” I said. “Something has you worried.”
Avery bit the inside of her cheek and shifted in place, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. If I had to wait all day for her to talk, I would do it.
“There’s…a guy,” she admitted at last in a small voice.
The back of my neck prickled. I’d seen Avery date before—that was nothing new, and I kept my jealousy in check. What bothered me was the fact that this guy made Avery as shaky as a newborn lamb.
“I met him in college,” she continued. “He asked me out, but he wouldn’t take no for an answer. I blocked him. It didn’t do any good.”
I definitely didn’t like the sound of this.
“And now he’s here? You saw him?”
Avery’s gaze darted to the bakery again. That was all the answer I needed. I swore under my breath.
“Let me guess,” I said. “Grady has no idea.”
“He’s already overprotective enough as it is.”
“You need to tell him.”
Avery winced.
“I know. It just…won’t go over well.”
“I don’t give a damn. This guy followed you all the way from California to Colorado. Your father needs to know that you’re in trouble.”
Avery flinched and glanced away, chewing her lower lip.
“If I can’t handle this one creep, how will I run the ranch on my own, Bowen?”
I shifted closer and dipped my head until she reluctantly met my gaze.
“Hey. Grady has no doubts about how capable you are. This fucker won’t change your dad's mind, all right?”
She managed a small smile with a nod.
“You’re right. Thank you, Bowen.”
After helping Avery into the truck, I turned onto the road, headed for the auction. I glanced in the rear-view mirror, watching the bakery door in the hopes that someone would emerge. I wish I’d gotten a look at the guy so I could identify the prick who had scared her.
If Avery thought her father was overprotective, she was about to discover a whole new side to me that she wasn’t going to like. There was no way in hell I would let her out of my sight after this.
Chapter 4
Avery
Seated on the couch in the living room, I couldn’t help feeling like a teenager awaiting the moment when I was officially grounded. Dad stood with his arms crossed, feet planted apart, lips set in a grim line. Birdie perched on the edge of an armchair, fingers twisted in her lap, directing a concerned look in Dad’s direction.
“What is this bastard’s name?” he demanded.
“Isaac Farley.”
“Was he the one who called the other day?” Birdie asked.
